History

WSIU's Listening Project: Rich Herrin & Benton Rangers

WSIU Public Broadcasting | By Jeff Williams,

Published August 10, 2016 at 11:52 AM CDT

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Former Benton Basketball Coach Rich Herrin and former team members Hugh Frailey, Terry Thomas, Bill Smith, and Rich Yunkus take part in WSIU's Listening Project at the Benton Public Library

Pearl Franz / WSIU

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Former Benton High School Basketball players Hugh Frailey and Terry Thomas take part in WSIU's Listening Project at the Benton Library

Pearl Franz / WSIU

From 1960 until 1985 Rich Herrin and the Benton Rangers forged high school basketball history with more than 500 wins, four undefeated seasons and 21 regional tournament titles. Coach Herrin and four of his former players - Rich Yunkus, Terry Thomas, Hugh Frailey, and Bill Smith - sat down recently to reminisce for this week's edition of WSIU's Listening Project.

Former Benton High School players Terry Thomas, Bill Smith and Rich Yunkus take part in the Listening Project at Benton Library

Their conversation was recorded as part of the 100th Anniversary of the Benton Public Library.

More Stories:

On getting his players scholarships and jobs...

hugh_on_scholarships.mp3

Hugh Frailey talks about how Coach Herrin always helped his player with scholarships and jobs.

On the community's support of the game...

yunkus_on_fan_support.mp3

Rich Yunkus talks about how the Benton community embraced and supported the team.

WSIU's Listening Project chronicles the stories, experiences, and history of the people who call this region home. You can hear more stories from the Benton Listening Projecthere.